Leicester Forest East, A47 Hinckley Road

Proposed measures to improve cycling walking and traffic congestion

Background

Within the Leicestershire County Councils Local Transport Plan 2006-2010, under the objective of tackling congestion, a cycle route along the A47 Hinckley Road has been identified.
In developing scheme proposals, we have considered other concerns and requests that the local community and representatives have made us aware of for the area:

The speed of traffic.
Traffic congestion and delay, particularly at the Kirby Lane / Hinckley Road traffic signals.
The Kirby Lane / Hinckley Road signal junction equipment is nearing the end of its reliable lifespan and is due to be renewed.
Lack of continuous foopath between Beggars Lane and Warren Lane on the south side of Hinckley Road.
Cycle facilities have already been included at the Beggars Lane and Warren Lane Signal Junctions.

Scheme Objectives

Increase cycling on the A47 Hinckley Road as an alternative to the car for commuting, school and local journeys.
Improve road safety.
Improve pedestrians facilities at the signal junction of Kirby Lane / Hinckley Road. Provide a pedestrian link between Beggars Lane with Warren Lane.
Improve the junction layout at the Kirby Lane / Hinckley Road signals to increase the junction capacity, accommodate cycle lanes and renew signal equipment.

The Proposals

Off carriageway shared use pedestrian cycle track

Between Beggars Lane and Warren Lane on south side of Hinckley Road, an off road shared use pedestrian / cycle track will be provided. This will have a minimum width of 2.5 metres. Some sections will require the existing footways to be widened, other sections will be built in the verge. Some hedges and trees will need to be cut back.

On Carriageway advisory cycle lane

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Between Warren Lane and Holmefield Avenue West, cycle lanes 1.5m wide will be provided on both sides. Traffic lanes will be maintained at a minimum of 3.0m along the entire length. Previous experience shows that narrowing traffic lanes will slow drivers. The advisory cycle lane will be identified by a broken white line and cycle symbols at regular intervals. Vehicles can move into these lanes should traffic conditions require and it is safe to do so.
At the Ellis Drive / Stafford Leys junction, cycle symbols on the road will raise driver awareness where existing widths prevent the continuation of the cycle lane..

Kirby Lane Traffic signal junction

Capacity, pedestrian and cycling improvements to this junction will be carried out as a separate scheme with future consutation.

M1 overbridge

For cyclists passing over the M1 overbridge it is proposed to reposition the existing refuge, provide an on road cycle lane city bound side and a segregated off road cycle track on the county-bound side.

To view a plan of this scheme please click here
( pdf format, file size 1337kb) .

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Please note:The use of this plan is limited to viewing on-line and printing one copy only.

For photos and details of the traffic measures we are proposing in your area, please click on our link to the Photo Gallery and follow the links in gallery part 4, for Speed cushions

Exhibition

An exhibition has been arranged for

Tuesday 28th October at the Parish Hall, Forest East Park, Kings Drive from 3.00pm until 7.00pm

County Council officers will be on hand to discuss scheme details and help with any queries you may have.

Your Comments

If you would like to comment on the proposals, email the issues you wish to raise to tsd@leics.gov.uk
our on line comment form is available to submit your views from 9th October 2008 until Thursday 6th November 2008. Please click the on line comment form

All comments will be treated in confidence and must reach us by Thursday 6th November 2008

What happens next?

The success of these proposals is dependent on the support of the local community and comments received help elected members to decide how the scheme should progress. The final outcome of this consultation will be posted on the website.

Contact Details

If you wish to discuss these proposals please contact:-

Charlie Wardle on direct line telephone number 0116 305 7273 or

Ian Vears on direct line telephone number 0116 3057215

or send us your comments on these proposals by emailing tsd@leics.gov.uk